Exceedingly rare and historically significant 1875 National Association scorecard for a game between the Boston Red Stockings and Hartford Dark Blues. Rarely does a single scorecard from this era have a greater history or more legendary names. The preprinted lineups include George Wright, Jim O'Rourke, Al Spalding, Cal McVey, Deacon White, and Ross Barnes for Boston, and Candy Cummings and Bob Ferguson for Hartford. The score card is not scored, but does make note of the runs scored for each team (Boston 7, Hartford 4) in the totals section, as well as a few marks in the fielding section. One of the many factors that make this scorecard so intriguing are the vintage pencil notations written along the top portion of the scorecard and on the reverse. The front notations read "Oct 30, 1875 - Played on Boston BB Grounds - 7-4." The reverse writing includes the notations "Boston Champions of World - Boston-7 - Hartford-4." This scorecard dates from the final game in National Association history! (It should be noted that based upon the lineups, this scorecard can only date from 1875.) The National Association, which was baseball's first professional league, enjoyed a brief five-year existence (1871-1875) before being replaced by the more financially stable National League in 1876. Boston, managed by Harry Wright, was the National Association's top team and finished as League champions in four of the five seasons. 1875 was no exception, as Boston finished the year with a record of 71-8. Despite winning seventeen more games than second-place Hartford, Boston and Hartford took part in an unusual two-game home-and-away series to determine the League championship. The first game took place at Hartford and was won by Boston. The second game took place on October 30th at Boston and the Red Stockings were once again victorious, defeating the Dark Blues by a score of 7-4, thereby capturing their fourth and final pennant in League history. This scorecard dates from that historic final National Association game. The pitchers were Tommy Bond and Al Spalding, the latter earning his last win in a 55-5 season. This is the first scorecard from that game that we have ever seen and it is likely the only survivor. In fact, we have never seen another scorecard of this exact unusual style and design, let alone from this historic game. Research indicates that the weather was extremely cold and rainy for the final game on October 30th and only approximately 400 fans braved the elements to cheer on the home nine. Very few scorecards exist from the National Association and this is certainly one of the most significant imaginable. The card (4.25 x 5 inches) displays a very slight neat trim along the base and a small metal grommet has been applied in the upper left corner so that the score card can be hung. A heavy horizontal crease divides the card, and there is also a moderate vertical crease in the upper half. A few tiny, light stains are visible along the base. In Very Good condition overall. Reserve $1,000. Estimate (open). SOLD FOR $4,994

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